Why?

I often get the question, "Why did you move back to STEVENS POINT?" It's true we left the amazing city of Madison, New Jersey and the closeness of NYC. We left there to come back to a place that is cold, has no GAP, Banana Republic (gasp), or Whole Foods.

The answer is quite simple. That answer is in the photos below.

Our families are so important to us. It is important that they be a part of all of our special days, big milestones and our everyday life.

This past week I watched my parents spend time with their grandchildren. I watched as they sent some of them off to college with a farewell party and then a quiet lunch with just themselves. I watched as they played with the toddlers and held the babies. I watched as they were AMAZED that Reid could back down stairs, eat with a spoon, and run around the house behind his cart. I listened as they were as amazed as first time parents at these simple things even after having eight children, 15 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Then I realized I wished nothing more for Reid. I've always hoped for him to have a close relationship with his grandparents and he does already. Having Kevin's parent close and having Reid be there first grandchild is so fun. They love to play with him, take him places and show him new things. Grandparents are special and being close to spend time with them is why I can tolerate not having a GAP and the below zero temps. I believe it gives them hope too. Hope that they can watch him grown into a strong caring young man.

I cherish these pictures more than any others right now. They show love, they show support, they show family.

A lot of things in life we don't only do for ourselves we do for our family, for hope, for tradition, for dreams and for love.

Big News!

Big big big, huge news on the Reid front......he took two steps today, 2!!!
I took him to my parent's house this morning because he seemed to have an excess amount of energy, was getting into everything and it was raining outside. We even took him for a walk in the rain because we couldn't keep up with him! Anyway, he was walking around with my mom holding his hands. She let him go and he stood for awhile and took 2 steps back to her!! It was all very exciting. We came home and Reid was falling asleep while shoveling food in his mouth in his highchair. All that walking is hard tiring work.

Let Him Have His Cake

and not eat it too....

It all started out kind of like this....
And like this. Because I hadn't taken Reid down to the studio in a long time (due to the whole grabbing at the camera thing) he was fascinated with the lights....for a little while.
Then I did a bad bad thing and told Kevin to put his hand in it.
He not only didn't like it, he hated it. Then I tried to get him to taste it thinking then he may be more interested in it. Nope, not the case.
Here is one of my favorites. Huge tears are in his eyes. He just looks so defeated but so cute, like would you people please pick me up and get me away from this cake!!
Later in the day we tried again. As soon as he saw the cake he immediately started to cry! Guess what he wanted the next day? Yes you are right, my piece of cake.

Biking

I'm guessing we'll get more use out of our bike trailer next year. We made it about half way to my parents before the helmet was massively annoying Reid and therefore us. Isn't he just too cute though?

My Good Little Eater

I now love milk...yummmmm!!.....

.....but jelly toast, now that is the best.....

ohh ohh jelly toast you are my favorite.....
but hummm my mom has something better than food...
and I want it
but I never get to have that stupid camera

Almost a month later.....

....but not quite, here are Reid's 12 month pictures in the chair! There were so many great pictures this time so I just picked 1. There are some "better" ones in my eyes that show his personality a little more, like kicking the sign from the back, starting to tear it and eventually ripping it to shreds but this one is cute :)